Vanderbilt Cup Races

The Alley Pond Bridge is my son Gram’s absolute favorite spot of the Parkway. I suppose that has to do with its being such a big part of MY childhood experience. Gram remains convinced that in some form or other the road shall rule in NYC racing history once again at some point in the future.
Our Fall exploration this year includes the bridge near the Old Bethpage Village Village and a small area of the banking near Central Ave in Bethpage where my Grandfather was one of the Italian bricklayers. He bought property near that worksite and eventually built a home right there just a 1/4 mile from the roadway.

From Long Island Motor Parkway Bridge Series: #7 Wheeler Farmway Bridge #2 (Alley Pond) in Queens

to Larry and others, I would appreciate knowing if you sold any of your cards & what you may have received. I also have many other similar cards. thanks that I would be interested in selling,marvin sept. 11 ,2011

From Postcards from the Long Island Automotive Museum (#1-6)

LOOKS LIKE IT WAS A LOT OF FUN.

From Video: "Take a Ride with the Black Beast on the Lime Rock Track"

I used to do timed laps at Lime Rock with My 66 Corvair Monza.I hit 90 a quite a few times.
What a thrill!
Sounds like the black beast needs one of my tuneups,
I have a passion for this sorta thing ya’know.
The carburetor is running too rich. The idle mixture and or the float needs adjustment
I worked on a 1913 Willys Overland with great success.
Steve Calandra NJ

From Video: "Take a Ride with the Black Beast on the Lime Rock Track"

Hi Dianne:

I will keep on searching for information on Andrew Balfour, Sr.

Howard

From A Tribute to the Mechanicians of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

Hi Jean-Yves:

Thanks for the correction. The image has been replaced by the winning car- the #8 Lozier driven by Ralph Mulford.

Howard

From Then & Now: 1911 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course- Waters Avenue, Savannah

Ken:

I believe the Black Beast could do over 100 mph at Bonneville…maybe next year! To date, the fastest recorded speed is 68 mph made by Emerson Fittipaldi at this year’s Indy 500 Race parade lap.

Howard

From Video: "Take a Ride with the Black Beast on the Lime Rock Track"

Hi Howard,

Wonderful! Only the typical trees of Savannah survived!

The first photo is the famous Mercedes “Grey Ghost” that won the 1912 Vanderbilt Cup at Milwaukee.  😉
http://www.etoilespassion.com/histoires/mercedes-grey-ghost.html

From Then & Now: 1911 Vanderbilt Cup Race Course- Waters Avenue, Savannah

Bob, it was a pleasure riding with you!!

Howard

From Video: "Take a Ride with the Black Beast on the Lime Rock Track"

WOW!That helmet camera does a fantastic job!

Thanks for the ride Howard..Lets hope I can get worker rides at future events…

I’m glad we had just enough time to get this one lap in !

From Video: "Take a Ride with the Black Beast on the Lime Rock Track"

From Robert R:

“SPECTACULAR, Howard!

What a treat.

So great to have seen you and the Beast today, and so pleased that you took home a trophy.”

From Highlights from the 2011 Sunday in the Park Concours at Lime Rock Track

From David R:

“Great ride in the Black Beast.  This gave me the encouragement to bring my flat tail sprint car and my 1952 road race special to Lime Rock next year.  I have never driven there and have been thinking about it for the last couple of years.  It is not a nice tow from Williamsburg, VA to Lime Rock but looks like it would be worth it.”

From Video: "Take a Ride with the Black Beast on the Lime Rock Track"

Drove at Limerock numerous times in my TVR…but…THIS was SO much more fun! Look forward to seeing you and the beast at upcoming events. Gram wants you to sign his Indy 500 program.

From Video: "Take a Ride with the Black Beast on the Lime Rock Track"

Hi Art:

It was wonderful for me too!!

Howard

From The Marmon Wasp -Winner of the 1911 Indy 500 Race

I loved your drive around the Lime Rock circuit. What a great way to enjoy your Black Beast. Take advantage of every oppertunity to run the Black Beast, a real thrill.
Roy

From Video: "Take a Ride with the Black Beast on the Lime Rock Track"

Great video Howard.
  I can’t imagine the guts of the oldtimers who had these up to what 90MPH on the rough roads of the time.  Have you considered visting something like the Bonneville Salt flats to drive the Black Beast wide open?  From the Indy video I had the impression she had plenty more to give… What’s your view about top speed?

From Video: "Take a Ride with the Black Beast on the Lime Rock Track"

Jim and Robert:

I have added Carl Mensel and William Luttgen to the post. Thanks for the suggestions!

Dianne:

I don’t have any information on your grandfather in my collection. Sorry!

Enjoy,

Howard

From A Tribute to the Mechanicians of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

Ah, the great Nuvolari.
For sure the greatest all-around driver of his time in my opinion.

From Archives: 1936 Vanderbilt Cup Race

Has anyone come across the name of my Grandfather, Andrew C. Balfour, Sr. who was hired by the Whitney’s and Vanderbilts out of New Orleans to be their chauffeur and mechanic in Oyster Bay.  I have a photo of my Grandfather sitting in car 11 of the Vanderbilt Cup Race of 1910.  He knew Theodore Roosevelt, and often had long conversations with him.  Mrs. Edith Roosevelt made my mother’s christening gown…

From A Tribute to the Mechanicians of the Vanderbilt Cup Races

One of my favorite photo’s is that of William Luttgen in the 1905 race where his was a riding mechanic on Foxhall Keene’s #5 Mercedes.  He was pinned under the Mercedes after it hit a telephone pole, and the resulting photo made the front page of The Brooklyn Daily Eagle.  As you mentioned in a previous post, that photo of Keene looking down at my Grandfather’s legs sticking out from under his car sort of upstaged the story about the actual winner of the race.

Thanks again Howard for all your work preserving this part of our history.

From A Tribute to the Mechanicians of the Vanderbilt Cup Races